1St Sunday of Lent

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 1st Sunday of Lent

Today’s first reading reminds baptism, Jesus was sent into us of the Noahic covenant of the wilderness. As we enter love God made with all cre- the Lenten season, we too are ation – a covenant which, in called to deepen our covenant the second reading, Peter tells with God by entering our own us prefigures our baptism and wilderness. Through fasting, is sealed for all eternity by the prayer and giving this Lenten resurrection of Jesus Christ. season, we deepen our relation- On our wedding day we ship with God and neighbour, vowed to be true to each other, which in turn prepares our to love and honour each other hearts for the extraordinary joy all the days of our lives. This of Easter. God patiently waits amazing promise gives us a for us to ask, “Make me to know small glimpse into the covenant your ways, O Lord; teach me God has made with his people. your paths.” His covenant with Our marriage covenant blesses us is a promise to be with us us with extraordinary joy and always, even in the desert. Like the challenge of self-emptying Jesus, may we emerge from the love. Likewise, God’s love is desert ready to proclaim the both a gift and an invitation. good news. Immediately after receiv- Michael & Vanessa Nicholas-Schmidt ing his Father’s blessing and Toronto, ON promise of steadfast love at his

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Parishes engaged in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) may celebrate the Rite of Election today.

Roman Missal p. 199; Sunday Lectionary p. 166

Entrance Antiphon (Cf. Psalm 90.15-16) When he calls on me, I will answer him; I will deliver him and give him glory, I will grant him length of days. Rite of Election (Cf. Psalm 104.3-4): Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice; turn to the Lord and his strength; constantly seek his face.

Introductory Rites (p. 5)

Collect Grant, almighty God, through the yearly observances of holy Lent, that we may grow in understanding of the riches hidden in Christ and by worthy conduct pursue their effects. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Rite of Election: O God, who though you are ever the cause of the salvation of the human race now gladden your people with grace in still greater measure, look mercifully, we pray, upon your chosen ones, that your compassionate and protecting help may defend both those yet to be born anew and those already reborn. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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First Reading (Genesis 9.8-15) God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.” The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 25)

## 6 j & 8 j œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ Youœ r paths,œ Lord,are love and faith-ful-ness

## j œ œ & œ œ J œ œ œ œ œ for those who keep yoJur co -ve-nant. # # w œ œ & œ w œ œ œ w œ œ œw œ œ Á . Your paths, Lord, are love and faithfulness for those who keep your covenant.

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Make me to know your ways, · O Lord; teach · me your paths. Lead me in your · truth, and teach_me, for you are the God of · my sal-vation. Á . Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your stead·-fast love, for they have been · from of old. According to your steadfast · love re-member_me, for the sake of your · goodness, O Lord! Á . Good and upright · is_the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners · in the way. He leads the humble in · what is right, and teaches the · humble his way. Á . ©2009 Gordon Johnston/Novalis

Second Riding (1 Peter 3.18-22) Beloved: Christ suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison. In former times these did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. Baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you — not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with Angels, Authorities, and Powers made subject to him. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

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Gospel Acclamation (Matthew 4.4) Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus Christ! Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Gospel (Mark 1.12-15) The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord. After Jesus was baptized, the Spirit drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the Angels waited on him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

For parishes engaged in the RCIA, the Rite of Election takes place now.

Profession of Faith (p. 8)

Prayer of the Faithful The following intentions are suggestions only. More suggestions are available at www.livingwithchrist.ca Á . Lord, hear our prayer. For the Church, called to transformation in the spirit of Lent, we pray to the Lord: Á . For all who exercise authority over others, we pray to the Lord: Á .

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For all who dwell in the darkness of poverty, injustice, war or disease, we pray to the Lord: Á . For this community, called to be Good News for all we encounter, we pray to the Lord: Á . Preparation of the Gifts (p. 11)

Prayer over the Offerings Give us the right dispositions, O Lord, we pray, to make these offerings, for with them we celebrate the beginning of this venerable and sacred time. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rite of Election: Almighty ever-living God, who restore us by the Sacrament of Baptism to eternal life as we confess your name, receive, we beseech you, the offerings and prayers of your servants and command that those who hope in you may have their desires fulfilled and their sins cancelled out. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Preface (1st Sunday of Lent, p. 14)

Communion Antiphon (Matthew 4.4) One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. or (Cf. Psalm 90.4) The Lord will conceal you with his pinions, and under his wings you will trust. Rite of Election (Ephesians 1.7): In Christ, we have redemption by his Blood and forgiveness of our sins, in accord with the riches of his grace.

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Prayer after Communion Renewed now with heavenly bread, by which faith is nourished, hope increased, and charity strengthened, we pray, O Lord, that we may learn to hunger for Christ, the true and living Bread, and strive to live by every word which proceeds from your mouth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Rite of Election: May this Sacrament we have received purify us, we pray, O Lord, and grant your servants freedom from all blame, that those bound by a guilty conscience may glory in the fullness of heavenly remedy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer over the People May bountiful blessing, O Lord, we pray, come down upon your people, that hope may grow in tribulation, virtue be strengthened in temptation, and eternal redemption be assured. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessing and Dismissal (p. 34)

124 FEBRUARY 2021 livingwithchrist.ca MONDAY FEBRUARY 22 1st Week of Lent

Feast The Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle Roman Missal 808; Lectionary 535

The feast of the Chair of Saint Peter celebrates Peter and his successors as bishop of Rome. See p. 168.

Entrance Antiphon Reading (Lk 22) The Lord says to Simon (1 Peter 5.1-4) Peter: I have prayed for you Now as an elder myself and a wit- that your faith may not fail, ness of the sufferings of Christ, and, once you have turned as well as one who shares in the back, strengthen your brothers. glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you to tend Glory to God (p. 7) the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, Collect not under compulsion but will- Grant, we pray, almighty God, ingly, as God would have you that no tempests may disturb do it — not for sordid gain, but us, for you have set us fast on eagerly. Do not lord it over those the rock of the Apostle Peter’s in your charge, but be examples confession of faith. Through to the flock. And when the chief our Lord Jesus Christ, your shepherd appears, you will win Son, who lives and reigns with the crown of glory that never you in the unity of the Holy fades away. Spirit, one God, for ever and The word of the Lord. Thanks ever. Amen. be to God.

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Responsorial Psalm hell will not hold out against (Psalm 23) it. Praise and honour to you, Á . The Lord is my shepherd; Lord Jesus Christ! there is nothing I shall want. Gospel The Lord is my shepherd, I (Matthew 16.13-19) shall not want. He makes me A reading from the holy Gospel lie down in green pastures; he according to Matthew. Glory to leads me beside still waters; he you, O Lord. restores my soul. Á . When Jesus came into the He leads me in right paths for district of Caesarea Philippi, he his name’s sake. Even though I asked his disciples, “Who do peo- walk through the darkest val- ple say that the Son of Man is?” ley, I fear no evil; for you are And the disciples said, “Some with me; your rod and your say John the Baptist, but others staff — they comfort me. Á . Elijah, and still others Jeremiah You prepare a table before or one of the prophets.” me in the presence of my ene- Jesus said to them, “But who mies; you anoint my head with do you say that I am?” Simon oil; my cup overflows. Á . Peter answered, “You are the Surely goodness and mercy Messiah, the Son of the living shall follow me all the days of God.” And Jesus answered him, my life, and I shall dwell in the “Blessed are you, Simon son of house of the Lord my whole life Jonah! For flesh and blood has long. Á . not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell Acclamation (Matthew 16) you, you are Peter, and on this Praise and honour to you, rock I will build my church, Lord Jesus Christ! You are and the gates of Hades will not Peter, the rock on which I will prevail against it. build my Church; the gates of

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“I will give you the keys of Preface (Apostles I, p. 17) the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth Communion Antiphon will be bound in heaven, and (Cf. Mt 16) Peter said to Jesus: whatever you loose on earth You are the Christ, the Son will be loosed in heaven.” of the living God. And Jesus The Gospel of the Lord. Praise replied: You are Peter, and to you, Lord Jesus Christ. upon this rock I will build my Church. Prayer over the Offerings Accept with favour, O Lord, we Prayer after Communion pray, the prayers and offerings O God, who at our celebration of your Church, that, with Saint of the feast day of the blessed Peter as her shepherd, she may Apostle Peter have nourished come to an eternal inheritance, us by communion in the Body for it is through his teaching and Blood of Christ, grant, that she holds the faith in its we pray, that this redeeming integrity. Through Christ our exchange may be for us a Sac- Lord. Amen. rament of unity and peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but he has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination. —St. Augustine

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Ferial Roman Missal 204; Lectionary 225 or Saint Polycarp

Polycarp is one of the Fathers of the early Church. See p. 168.

Entrance Antiphon do not return there until they (Cf. Ps 89) O Lord, you have have watered the earth, making been our refuge, from genera- it bring forth and sprout, giving tion to generation; from age to seed to the sower and bread to age, you are. the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; Collect it shall not return to me empty, Look upon your family, Lord, but it shall accomplish that that, through the chastening which I purpose, and succeed effects of bodily discipline, our in the thing for which I sent it. minds may be radiant in your The word of the Lord. Thanks presence with the strength of be to God. our yearning for you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Responsorial Psalm Son, who lives and reigns with (Psalm 34) you in the unity of the Holy Á . From all their afflictions Spirit, one God, for ever and God will deliver the just. ever. Amen. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name Reading (Isaiah 55.10-11) together. I sought the Lord, and Thus says the Lord, your God: he answered me, and delivered For as the rain and the snow me from all my fears. Á . come down from heaven, and

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Look to him, and be radi- When the disciples had ant; so your faces shall never be gathered around Jesus on the ashamed. This poor soul cried, hillside, he began to teach them: and was heard by the Lord, and “When you are praying, do was saved from every trouble. not heap up empty phrases as Á . the Gentiles do; for they think The eyes of the Lord are on that they will be heard because the righteous, and his ears are of their many words. Do not open to their cry. The face of the be like them, for your Father Lord is against evildoers, to cut knows what you need before off the remembrance of them you ask him. from the earth. Á . “Pray then in this way: ‘Our When the righteous cry for Father in heaven, hallowed be help, the Lord hears, and res- your name. Your kingdom come. cues them from all their trou- Your will be done, on earth as bles. The Lord is near to the it is in heaven. Give us this day broken-hearted, and saves the our daily bread. And forgive us crushed in spirit. Á . our debts, as we also have for- given our debtors. And do not Acclamation (Matthew 4) bring us to the time of trial, but Praise and honour to you, rescue us from the evil one.’ Lord Jesus Christ! No one lives “For if you forgive others on bread alone, but on every their trespasses, your heavenly word that comes from the Father will also forgive you; mouth of God. Praise and hon- but if you do not forgive others, our to you, Lord Jesus Christ! neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Gospel (Matthew 6.7-15) The Gospel of the Lord. Praise A reading from the holy Gospel to you, Lord Jesus Christ. according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.

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Prayer over the Offerings Prayer after Communion Receive, O Creator, almighty Grant us through these myster- God, what we bring from your ies, Lord, that by moderating bountiful goodness, and be earthly desires we may learn pleased to transform this tem- to love the things of heaven. poral sustenance you have Through Christ our Lord. given us, that it may bring us Amen. eternal life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Prayer over the People (Optional) Communion Antiphon May your faithful be strength- (Cf. Ps 4) When I called, the ened, O God, by your blessing: God of justice gave me answer; in grief, may you be their con- from anguish you released solation, in tribulation, their me; have mercy, O Lord, and power to endure, and in peril, hear my prayer! their protection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Always keep lifting your foot to climb the ladder of holiness and do not imagine that you can mount even the first step. All God asks of you is good will. —St. Thérèse of Lisieux

130 FEBRUARY 2021 livingwithchrist.ca WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 24

Ferial Roman Missal 205; Lectionary 226

Entrance Antiphon the message that I tell you.” (Cf. Ps 24) Remember your So Jonah set out and went to compassion, O Lord, and your Nineveh, according to the word merciful love, for they are of the Lord. Now Nineveh was from of old. Let not our ene- an exceedingly large city, a mies exult over us. Redeem three days’ walk across. Jonah us, O God of Israel, from all began to go into the city, going our distress. a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh Collect shall be overthrown!” Look kindly, Lord, we pray, on And the people of Nineveh the devotion of your people, believed God; they proclaimed that those who by self-denial a fast, and everyone, great and are restrained in body may small, put on sackcloth. When by the fruit of good works be the news reached the king renewed in mind. Through our of Nineveh, he rose from his Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, throne, removed his robe, cov- who lives and reigns with you ered himself with sackcloth, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, and sat in ashes. one God, for ever and ever. Then he had a proclama- Amen. tion made in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his Reading (Jonah 3.1-10) nobles: No human being or ani- The word of the Lord came to mal, no herd or flock, shall taste Jonah a second time, saying: anything. They shall not feed, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that nor shall they drink water. great city, and proclaim to it Human beings and animals livingwithchrist.ca LIVING WITH CHRIST 131 Wednesday February 24 shall be covered with sackcloth, steadfast spirit within me. Do and they shall cry mightily to not cast me away from your God. All shall turn from their presence, and do not take your evil ways and from the violence holy spirit from me. Á . that is in their hands. Who For you have no delight in knows? God may relent and sacrifice; if I were to give a change his mind; he may turn burnt offering, you would not from his fierce anger, so that we be pleased. The sacrifice accept- do not perish.” able to God is a broken spirit; a When God saw what they broken and contrite heart, O did, how they turned from God, you will not despise. Á . their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity Acclamation (Joel 2) that he had said he would bring Praise and honour to you, upon them; and he did not do it. Lord Jesus Christ! With all The word of the Lord. Thanks your heart turn to me, for I be to God. am tender and compassionate. Praise and honour to you, Responsorial Psalm Lord Jesus Christ! (Psalm 51) Á . A broken, humbled heart, Gospel (Luke 11.29-32) O God, you will not scorn. A reading from the holy Gos- Have mercy on me, O God, pel according to Luke. Glory to according to your steadfast you, O Lord. love; according to your abun- When the crowds were dant mercy blot out my trans- increasing, Jesus began to say, gressions. Wash me thoroughly “This generation is an evil gen- from my iniquity, and cleanse eration; it asks for a sign, but no me from my sin. Á . sign will be given to it except the Create in me a clean heart, sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah O God, and put a new and became a sign to the people of

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Nineveh, so the Son of Man will them become for us an eternal be to this generation. remedy. Through Christ our “The queen of the South Lord. Amen. will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation Communion Antiphon and condemn them, because (Cf. Ps 5) All who take refuge in she came from the ends of the you shall be glad, O Lord, and earth to listen to the wisdom of ever cry out their joy, and you Solomon, and see, something shall dwell among them. greater than Solomon is here! “The people of Nineveh will Prayer after Communion rise up at the judgment with O God, who never cease to this generation and condemn nourish us by your Sacrament, it, because they repented at the grant that the refreshment you proclamation of Jonah, and see, give us through it may bring us something greater than Jonah unending life. Through Christ is here!” our Lord. Amen. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Prayer over the People (Optional) Prayer over the Offerings Watch over your people, Lord, We offer to you, O Lord, what and in your kindness cleanse you have given to be dedicated them from all sins, for if evil has to your name, that, just as for no dominion over them, no trial our benefit you make these gifts can do them harm. Through a Sacrament, so you may let Christ our Lord. Amen.

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. —St. Teresa of Calcutta

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Ferial Roman Missal 206; Lectionary 227

Entrance Antiphon no helper but you, for my dan- (Cf. Ps 5) To my words give ear, ger is in my hand. Ever since I O Lord; give heed to my sighs. was born I have heard in the Attend to the sound of my cry, tribe of my family that you, my King and my God. O Lord, took Israel out of all the nations, and our ancestors Collect from among all their forebears, Bestow on us, we pray, O Lord, for an everlasting inheritance, a spirit of always pondering on and that you did for them all what is right and of hastening that you promised. to carry it out, and, since with- “Remember, O Lord; make out you we cannot exist, may yourself known in this time we be enabled to live according of our affliction, and give me to your will. Through our Lord courage, O King of the gods Jesus Christ, your Son, who and Master of all dominion! lives and reigns with you in the Put eloquent speech in my unity of the Holy Spirit, one mouth before the lion, and turn God, for ever and ever. Amen. his heart to hate the man who is fighting against us, so that Reading there may be an end of him and (Esther 14.1, 3-5, 12-14) those who agree with him. But Queen Esther, seized with save us by your hand, and help deadly anxiety, fled to the Lord. me, who am alone and have no She prayed to the Lord God of helper but you, O Lord.” Israel, and said: “O my Lord, The word of the Lord. Thanks you only are our king; help be to God. me, who am alone and have

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Responsorial Psalm Gospel (Psalm 138) (Matthew 7.7-12) Á . Lord, on the day I called for A reading from the holy Gospel help, you answered me. according to Matthew. Glory to I give you thanks, O Lord, you, O Lord. with my whole heart; before Gathered on the hillside the gods I sing your praise; I with the disciples, Jesus began bow down toward your holy to teach them: temple and give thanks to your “Ask, and it will be given name for your steadfast love you; search, and you will find; and your faithfulness. Á . knock, and the door will be For you have exalted your opened for you. For everyone name and your word above who asks receives, and every- everything. On the day I called, one who searches finds, and for you answered me, you increased everyone who knocks, the door my strength of soul. Á . will be opened. You stretch out your hand, “Is there anyone among and your right hand delivers you who, if your child asks for me. The Lord will fulfill his bread, will give a stone? Or if purpose for me; your steadfast the child asks for a fish, will love, O Lord, endures forever. give a snake? If you then, who Do not forsake the work of your are evil, know how to give good hands. Á . gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Acclamation (Psalm 51) in heaven give good things to Praise and honour to you, those who ask him! Lord Jesus Christ! Create a “In everything do to others clean heart in me, O God; give as you would have them do to back to me the joy of your sal- you; for this is the law and the vation. Praise and honour to prophets.” you, Lord Jesus Christ!

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The Gospel of the Lord. Praise Prayer after Communion to you, Lord Jesus Christ. We pray, O Lord our God, that, as you have given these most Prayer over the Offerings sacred mysteries to be the safe- Be merciful, O Lord, to those guard of our salvation, so you who approach you in sup- may make them a healing rem- plication, and, accepting the edy for us, both now and in oblations and prayers of your time to come. Through Christ people, turn the hearts of us all our Lord. Amen. towards you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Prayer over the People (Optional) Communion Antiphon May the mercy they have hoped (Mt 7) Everyone who asks, for, O Lord, come to those who receives; and the one who make supplication to you, and seeks, finds; and to the one may the riches of heaven be who knocks, the door will be given them, that they may know opened. what it is right to ask and receive what they have sought. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

We must trust in the mighty power of God’s mercy. We are all sinners, but his grace transforms us and makes us new. —Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

136 FEBRUARY 2021 livingwithchrist.ca FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26

Ferial Roman Missal 207; Lectionary 228

Entrance Antiphon surely live; they shall not die. (Cf. Ps 24) Set me free from my None of the transgressions that distress, O Lord. See my low- they have committed shall be liness and suffering, and take remembered against them; for away all my sins. the righteousness that they have done they shall live. Have Collect I any pleasure in the death of Grant that your faithful, O the wicked, says the Lord God, Lord, we pray, may be so con- and not rather that they should formed to the paschal obser- turn from their ways and live? vances, that the bodily disci- But when the righteous turn pline now solemnly begun may away from their righteousness bear fruit in the souls of all. and commit iniquity and do the Through our Lord Jesus Christ, same abominable things that your Son, who lives and reigns the wicked do, shall they live? with you in the unity of the None of the righteous deeds Holy Spirit, one God, for ever that they have done shall be and ever. Amen. remembered; for the treachery of which they are guilty and the Reading sin they have committed, they (Ezekiel 18.21-28) shall die. The word of the Lord came to Yet you say, “The way of me: If the wicked turn away the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, from all their sins that they O house of Israel: Is my way have committed and keep all unfair? Is it not your ways that my statutes and do what is are unfair? When the right- lawful and right, they shall eous turn away from their livingwithchrist.ca LIVING WITH CHRIST 137 Friday February 26 righteousness and commit iniq- I wait for the Lord, my soul uity, they shall die for it; for the waits, and in his word I hope; iniquity that they have commit- my soul waits for the Lord ted they shall die. Again, when more than those who watch for the wicked turn away from the the morning. Á . wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and Acclamation (Ezekiel 18) right, they shall save their life. Praise and honour to you, Because they considered and Lord Jesus Christ! Rid your- turned away from all the trans- selves of all your sins and make gressions that they had com- a new heart and a new spirit. mitted, they shall surely live; Praise and honour to you, they shall not die. Lord Jesus Christ! The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Gospel (Matthew 5.20-26) Responsorial Psalm A reading from the holy Gospel (Psalm 130) according to Matthew. Glory to Á . If you, O Lord, laid bare our you, O Lord. guilt, who could endure it? Jesus went up the mountain; Out of the depths I cry to and after he sat down, his disci- you, O Lord. Lord, hear my ples came to him and he taught voice! Let your ears be atten- them. “I tell you, unless your tive to the voice of my supplica- righteousness exceeds that of tions! Á . the scribes and Pharisees, you If you, O Lord, should mark will never enter the kingdom iniquities, Lord, who could of heaven. stand? But there is forgiveness “You have heard that it was with you, so that you may be said to those of ancient times, revered. Á . ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be

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liable to judgment.’ But I say to Prayer over the Offerings you that if you are angry with Accept the sacrificial offer- a brother or sister, you will be ings, O Lord, by which, in liable to judgment; and if you your power and kindness, you insult a brother or sister, you willed us to be reconciled to will be liable to the council; and yourself and our salvation to be if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be restored. Through Christ our liable to the hell of fire. Lord. Amen. “So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you Communion Antiphon remember that your brother or (Ezek 33) As I live, says the sister has something against you, Lord, I do not desire the death leave your gift there before the of the sinner, but rather that altar and go; first be reconciled he turn back and live. to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Prayer after Communion “Come to terms quickly with May the holy refreshment of your accuser while the two of your Sacrament restore us you are on the way to court, anew, O Lord, and, cleansing us or your accuser may hand you of old ways, take us up into the over to the judge, and the judge mystery of salvation. Through to the guard, and you will be Christ our Lord. Amen. thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until Prayer over the People you have paid the last penny.” (Optional) The Gospel of the Lord. Praise Look with favour on your peo- to you, Lord Jesus Christ. ple, O Lord, that what their observance outwardly declares it may inwardly bring about. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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God acts mercifully, not indeed by going against his justice, but by doing something more than justice. —St. Thomas Aquinas

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 27

Ferial Roman Missal 208; Lectionary 229

Entrance Antiphon unity of the Holy Spirit, one (Cf. Ps 18) The law of the Lord God, for ever and ever. Amen. is perfect; it revives the soul. The decrees of the Lord are Reading steadfast; they give wisdom to (Deuteronomy 26.16-19) the simple. Moses convened all Israel and set the law before them. “Hear, Collect O Israel! This very day the Lord Turn our hearts to you, eternal your God is commanding you Father, and grant that, seeking to observe these statutes and always the one thing necessary ordinances; so observe them and carrying out works of char- diligently with all your heart ity, we may be dedicated to your and with all your soul. worship. Through our Lord “Today you have obtained Jesus Christ, your Son, who the Lord’s agreement: to be lives and reigns with you in the your God; and for you to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes,

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his commandments, and his will observe your statutes; do ordinances, and to obey him. not utterly forsake me. Á . “Today the Lord has obtained your agreement: to be his treas- Acclamation (2 Corinthians 6) ured people, as he promised Praise and honour to you, you, and to keep his command- Lord Jesus Christ! This is the ments; for him to set you high favourable time, this is the day above all nations that he has of salvation. Praise and hon- made, in praise and in fame our to you, Lord Jesus Christ! and in honour; and for you to be a people holy to the Lord Gospel your God, as he promised.” (Matthew 5.43-48) The word of the Lord. Thanks A reading from the holy Gospel be to God. according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord. Responsorial Psalm When the disciples had (Psalm 119) gathered around Jesus on the Á . Happy are they who follow mountain, he spoke to them: the law of the Lord! “You have heard that it was Happy are those whose way said, ‘You shall love your neigh- is blameless, who walk in the bour and hate your enemy.’ But law of the Lord. Happy are those I say to you, Love your ene- who keep his decrees, who seek mies and pray for those who him with their whole heart. Á . persecute you, so that you may You have commanded your be children of your Father in precepts to be kept diligently. O heaven; for he makes his sun that my ways may be steadfast rise on the evil and on the good, in keeping your statutes! Á . and sends rain on the righteous I will praise you with an and on the unrighteous. For if upright heart, when I learn you love those who love you, your righteous ordinances. I what reward do you have? Do

livingwithchrist.ca LIVING WITH CHRIST 141 Saturday February 27 not even the tax collectors do Prayer after Communion the same? And if you greet only Show unceasing favour, O Lord, your brothers and sisters, what to those you refresh with this more are you doing than oth- divine mystery, and accompany ers? Do not even the Gentiles with salutary consolations do the same? those you have imbued with “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly teaching. Through heavenly Father is perfect.” Christ our Lord. Amen. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Prayer over the People (Optional) Prayer over the Offerings May the blessing for which May these blessed mysteries by they have longed strengthen which we are restored, O Lord, your faithful, O God, so that, we pray, make us worthy of never straying from your will, the gift they bestow. Through they may always rejoice in your Christ our Lord. Amen. benefits. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Communion Antiphon (Mt 5) Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect, says the Lord.

Just take everything exactly as it is, put it in God’s hands, and leave it with him. Then you will be able to rest in him — really rest. —St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

142 FEBRUARY 2021 livingwithchrist.ca SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28 2nd Sunday of Lent

Today’s first reading is one of what is most precious, our sons the most important religious and daughters. It is only the texts ever written. While it is God of Abraham who does not strange for us to read of a god demand but provides the sacri- asking for human sacrifice, that fice. was nothing out of the ordi- The story of Abraham and nary in Abraham’s world. The Isaac begins the trajectory that bewilderment we feel reading ends with Christ. When Paul this passage is, in fact, a result tells the Romans that God “did of the text’s own success. It is not withhold his own Son,” he because of the story of Abra- is linking Jesus and Isaac and ham and Isaac that human and pointing us towards the inver- child sacrifice looks the way it sion of sacrifice that Isaac pres- does to us. aged and Jesus fulfilled. Human sacrifice is not some This inversion transfigures aberration in human history. human history. What could In one way or another, it is the this rising from the dead mean? norm. The other gods humans That the one who gave himself have worshipped, whether they to be sacrificed so that we might go by ancient names like Baal see the truth about human sac- and Moloch, or modern names rifice was God’s own Son. like Choice and National Secu- Brett Salkeld rity, have always demanded Regina, SK livingwithchrist.ca LIVING WITH CHRIST 143 Sunday February 28

Roman Missal p. 209; Sunday Lectionary p. 169

Entrance Antiphon (Cf. Psalm 26.8-9) Of you my heart has spoken: Seek his face. It is your face, O Lord, that I seek; hide not your face from me. or (Cf. Psalm 24.6, 2, 22) Remember your compassion, O Lord, and your merciful love, for they are from of old. Let not our enemies exult over us. Redeem us, O God of Israel, from all our distress.

Introductory Rites (p. 5)

Collect O God, who have commanded us to listen to your beloved Son, be pleased, we pray, to nourish us inwardly by your word, that, with spiritual sight made pure, we may rejoice to behold your glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading (Genesis 22.1-2, 9-13, 15-18) God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” And Abraham said, “Here I am.” God said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.” When Abraham and Isaac came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of

144 FEBRUARY 2021 livingwithchrist.ca Sunday February 28 the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” The Angel said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. The Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, “By myself I have sworn, says the Lord: Because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.” The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

livingwithchrist.ca LIVING WITH CHRIST 145 Sunday February 28

Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 116)

4 &4 j œ œœœ ˙ œ œ Iwœ œill wœalk. beœ -foreœ the Lord in the land of the

& œ ˙. w œ w œ œ liv-ing. œw w œ œ Á . I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living. I kept my faith, even when I · said, “I am greatly · af-flicted.” Precious in the sight of the · Lord is the death of · his faithful_ones. Á . O Lord, I am your · servant. You have loosed · my bonds. I will offer to you a thanksgiving ·sacrifice and call on the name of · the Lord. Á . I will pay my vows to the · Lord in the presence of all · his people, in the courts of the house of the · Lord, in your midst, O · Je-rusalem. Á .

Second Riding (Romans 8.31b-35, 37) Brothers and sisters: If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn?

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It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation (See Luke 9.35) Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus Christ! From the bright cloud the Father’s voice is heard: This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to him. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Gospel (Mark 9.2-10) The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord. Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Peter did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. livingwithchrist.ca LIVING WITH CHRIST 147 Sunday February 28

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Profession of Faith (p. 8)

Prayer of the Faithful The following intentions are suggestions only. More suggestions are available at www.livingwithchrist.ca Á . Lord, hear our prayer. For the family of God, faithful to Jesus’ call to repent and believe the Good News, we pray to the Lord: Á . For world leaders, called to govern with justice and compassion, we pray to the Lord: Á . For all who suffer illness, discomfort and pain, we pray to the Lord: Á . For our community, ever striving to be true followers of Jesus, we pray to the Lord: Á .

Preparation of the Gifts (p. 11)

Prayer over the Offerings May this sacrifice, O Lord, we pray, cleanse us of our faults and sanctify your faithful in body and mind for the celebration of the paschal festivities. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

148 FEBRUARY 2021 livingwithchrist.ca Sunday February 28

Preface (2nd Sunday of Lent, p. 15)

Communion Antiphon (Matthew 17.5) This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.

Prayer after Communion As we receive these glorious mysteries, we make thanksgiving to you, O Lord, for allowing us while still on earth to be partakers even now of the things of heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer over the People Bless your faithful, we pray, O Lord, with a blessing that endures for ever, and keep them faithful to the Gospel of your Only Begotten Son, so that they may always desire and at last attain that glory whose beauty he showed in his own Body, to the amazement of his Apostles. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessing and Dismissal (p. 34)

livingwithchrist.ca LIVING WITH CHRIST 149 The lectionary texts contained herein are from the Lectionary, Sundays and Solemnities © Concacan Inc., 1992, 2009 and the Lectionary, Weekdays © Concacan Inc., 1993, of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved. Used by permission of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

These editions of the Lectionary follow the Ordo Lectionum Missae, editio typica altera, Typis Polyglottis Vaticanus, 1981.

The Scripture quotations contained herein are based on the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Adapted and used by permission. All rights reserved.

Adaptations for liturgical use have been made to selected Scripture texts. These adaptations have been made to bring the readings into conformity with the Ordo Lectionum Missae, editio typica altera, the Lectionarium and Liturgiam Authenticam, as well as to facilitate proclamation. These adaptations were prepared by and are the sole responsibility of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Adaptations copyright © 2009 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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